Written by Peter David.
Art by Yildiray Çinar; Dee Cunniffe; Matt Milla; & VC’s Ariana Maher.
Incredible Hulk # 347 Written by Peter David.
Incredible Hulk # 347 Art by Jeff Purves; Mike Gustovich; Valerie Gustovich; Petra Scotese; & Joe Rosen.
Collection Cover Art by Cully Hamner & Jordie Bellaire.
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics in 2023, this 136-page trade paperback collects the complete Joe Fixit # 1-5 limited series from that same year.
Returning home to Mary Jane, Peter Parker is passing through the Las Vegas airport, only to catch sight of Wilson “The Kingpin” Fisk. Conveniently overhearing Fisk’s intention to confront casino owner Michael Berengetti, Peter knows his old enemy up to no good. More so, Berengetti has a formidable bodyguard: the gray-skinned Hulk, aka ‘Joe Fixit.’ Peter gleefully imagines that Fisk is oblivious to this gamma-powered and easily irritable roadblock.
Tailing Fisk to the Strip’s Coliseum Casino, Spider-Man intervenes when Fisk and his rent-a-goon resort to intimidation tactics on Berengetti. Specifically, the Kingpin seeks to force some local cooperation against the incoming Maggia. It’s a mobster’s prelude, of course, as Fisk intends to take over Berengetti’s casino himself.
As the casino’s enforcer, the Hulk (aka Joe Fixit) easily dispatches Fisk and his thug from the premises. However, Spider-Man is rewarded for his own efforts with a temporary layover to join the casino’s luxuries. Meanwhile, Fisk’s revenge consists of a mind-controlling neurotoxin against the Hulk, which unleashes a casino-busting berserker rage.
Spider-Man has little chance against a manipulated ‘Joe Fixit,’ unless Bruce Banner’s subconscious helps him. A brief flashback depicts Spider-Man and Banner/Hulk’s confrontation years before with the Absorbing Man and a trigger-happy SWAT team at a NYC diner. Seeking fitting payback later that night, the Hulk and Spider-Man discover that Fisk’s newest mercenaries are Electro and the Rhino.
Representing the rival Maggia, Count Nefaria has similarly rented Hydro-Man, Whiplash, and the Masked Marauder to simultaneously hit Las Vegas after wiping out the Kingpin’s own super-villains. Hence, Spider-Man and ‘Joe Fixit’ find themselves caught up in a three-way showdown that threatens the Strip.
Note: This title is also available digitally.
REVIEW:
The reliable Peter David, story-wise, delivers the necessary goods. By no means an ambitious read, this Hulk/Spider-Man team-up caper is simply a Las Vegas joyride, Marvel-style. The slam-bang fun-and-games are delivered with welcome gusto, though one shouldn’t expect any surprises. Hence, the underwhelming plot wins far more on amusing entertainment value than any dramatic substance.
Along with the art team’s appealing visuals, this Hulk/Spider-Man tag-team series is a welcome action-comedy treat for fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Each full-page cover precedes its story. The cover artists consist of: Issues # 1-2 and # 4-5 by Cully Hamner & Jordie Bellaire, with then Hamner and Tama Bonvillian on Issue # 3.
Including a full-page depiction of artist Jeff Purves’ cover, 1988’s Incredible Hulk # 347 is reprinted as some appropriate padding. The good news is that this archived reprint might have been slickly reinked. Otherwise, David’s Joe Fixit gangster debut/origin tale entitled “Crapshoot” ages better than its rudimentary (and mostly dreadful) artwork.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
